23 September 2020

COVID-19 Measures on Christmas & Cocos (Keeling) Islands

As at 23 September, there are NO cases of COVID-19 in the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT).

CI Territories Week and COVID safety

A reminder that due to COVID-19, all events taking place as part of the CI Territories Week activities require registration for attendance. We want to ensure the community can participate and celebrate in a COVID-safe way.

Again, the Territory Controller assures residents of the COVID-safe approach being taken by organisers of the various events and activities in their planning, including abiding by COVID safety and hygiene training and requirements.

The CI Territory Controller is available for queries and advice on COVID-safe event planning and organisation, to ensure businesses and the community are well protected and risks minimised.

IOT COVID-19 response update

As the overarching and local COVID-19 response continues, the COVID-19 subcommittee continues to ensure that the IOT is prepared in case of a COVID outbreak, which includes working closely with the WA health authorities on our planning and escalation procedures.

This week, an expert team from the WA Department of Health has visited CI and CKI to meet with the Territory Controllers, Administrator, IOT Health Service and other stakeholders to further refine our outbreak planning and response processes, including the support from WA Health in the event of a positive case.

We greatly appreciate the time and deep expertise shared by Dr Clare Huppatz, Professor Paul Effler and Lieutenant-Commander Jack Forbes to assist us in continuing to best protect the IOT.

IOT travel application statistics

You may find it interesting to know that since the IOT WA travel zone was announced on 24 July 2020, we have received more than 3,800 applications to travel to the IOT from WA. Of those applications, 58% applied to travel to Christmas Island and 42% applied to travel to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Applications for travel to Christmas Island       

• CI leisure traveller 37%
• CI travelling for work 63%

Applications for travel to Cocos (Keeling) Islands

• CKI leisure traveller 76%
• CKI travelling for work 23%

Territory Controller updates

As the COVID-19 response continues and we align with the WA timetable for review of measures, after next week’s update, it is intended to move to fortnightly updates from the Territory Controllers on our local response, preparedness and measures.

As always, we will issue communications on urgent or time critical matters as needed. Individual queries can be directed to iotadministrator@infrastructure.gov.au

Be COVIDSafe, keep COVID-free

There are still no cases of COVID-19 in the IOT. However, with the ongoing community transmission on Australia’s east coast, it is a timely reminder to be COVIDSafe.

COVIDSafe means maintaining at least 1.5 metres between you and others at all times, regularly washing your hands with soap, staying at home if you’re sick and getting tested if you have cold or flu-like symptoms.

If you have previously been tested for COVID but start to feel sick again, get re-tested. Stay at home while you wait for your results.

Wash your hands to stop the spread - clean hands keep you healthy and help stop the spread of germs.

Regularly wash your hands for 20–30 seconds with soap. Remember to wash in between your fingers, the back of your hands and your thumbs.

Always wash your hands after using the bathroom, when you’re preparing food, before or after eating, and after you have been out.

Hand sanitiser is a good alternative when soap and water aren’t available.

IOT WA travel zone

Under the travel zone arrangements with Western Australia, you are exempt from quarantine requirements if you have not been outside WA or the IOT in the 14 days prior to your entry date. You will still need to apply for entry to WA.

All entry into WA requires a WA Entry – Request for Approval as an Exempt Traveller application.

People are encouraged to apply using the “Good to Go Pass” app which can be completed electronically. It can be found at https://www.g2gpass.com.au/. For anyone that is experiencing difficulties with obtaining approval from WA Police, please email iotadministrator@infrastructure.gov.au for assistance.

IOT to WA – how to complete the WA application:

• Nominate “Persons otherwise seeking to enter WA”
• In the free text field, detail the nature of travel:
  – entering under the Quarantine (Closing the Borders) Direction: Exempt Traveller (Indian Ocean Territories Traveller) Approval Under Paragraph 27(r)
  – declare that in the last 14 days prior to entry into WA, you have not been outside the IOT or WA (noting that there is a penalty for providing false information)
  – provide details of your travel, including where you are travelling to and from, dates of travel and reason for travel. Add additional supporting documentation as required.

Information on the WA-IOT travel zone exemption is available here: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/exempt-traveller-approval-indian-ocean-territories

All IOT entry and travel requirements remain unchanged – people must apply for approval to travel to the IOT using the electronic application form https://indianoceanterritories.wufoo.com/forms/iot-traveller-request-form/.

Looking after your mental health

It is important to reach out if you need support during the pandemic. The IOT Health Service has an excellent Managing Stress and Anxiety booklet, which includes a wide range of local and national resources. On island, you can speak to a health professional. For Christmas Island (CI), call 9164 8333, for Cocos (Keeling) Islands call 9162 7609 on Home Island or 9162 6655 on West island. The community social worker on CI can be contacted on 9164 8333 ext 128 or via text on 0447 975 436. People who are concerned about their children can speak with the CIDHS school psychologist. Those with private health cover may also choose to engage with their psychologist of choice via telehealth.

The Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health (headtohealth.gov.au) connects people to free, low cost phone, and online mental health services and supports from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations. It is a good place to start if you, or someone you care about, might need some help coping with anxiety and worry.

More information on mental health measures can be found at https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-national-health-plan-supporting-the-mental-health-of-australians-through-the-coronavirus-pandemic.

Who do I call for help, support or advice about Family Violence?

It is important that you know you can reach out for support even during the current State of Emergency. Family violence services across the IOTs are available for support and advice for anyone experiencing family violence or who is worried about how potential self-isolation or changes to your routine due to COVID-19 will impact on your safety and well-being. 

If you need support, you can contact the health services, our social worker or police on the following numbers:  

Christmas Island

• Christmas island Health Services 9164-8333
• Christmas Island Community Policing Team 9164-8444  
• Social Worker Narelle Phone 9164 8333 ext 128 or 0447 975 436

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

• Home Island Clinic 9162-7609
• West Island Clinic 9162-6655
• Cocos Community Policing Team 9162-6600  

Legal Aid WA

• 9261 6356 or
• CI Office 9164 7529

If you feel unsafe or are concerned for someone’s safety, please call 000

Emergency Management Committee

The Territory Controllers in conjunction with the Administrator convene a fortnightly Emergency Management Committee (EMC) meeting to provide updates on decisions and actions taken to maintain a COVID-19-free IOT.  Each member of the EMC provides an update on current and future actions their organisations is undertaking to manage COVID-19 measures.

• The next Christmas Island Emergency Management Committee meeting will be Tuesday, 29 September 2020 10.00am Christmas Island time. 
• The next Cocos (Keeling) Islands Emergency Management Committee meeting will be Thursday 15 October 2020 1pm Cocos (Keeling) Islands time